With the explosion of networking clubs and events you could be networking morning, noon and night. But unless we’re strategic about where we spend our time, then we can waste lots of it. So how do we decide where to go?
Well it’s a big question, and I’m only going to give one idea in this blog. Others will come over time…
The tempation is to only attend business mixer events. Now, don’t get me wrong, these events are great for raising your local profile, collaborating with other professionals and hearing about opportunities on your doorstep. But in terms of trying to find people with whom there’s some synergy, it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack can’t it?
Therefore I would encourage you to attend some industry-specific events too. Simply because the probability of you meeting someone who has a problem you can solve increases.
So, if you don’t already, I would suggest you start thinking of yourself as a problem solver. Because you specific solve problems for specific people don’t you? Actually you might solve lots of problems for lots of people – but if you think about it all at once it can get overwhelming.
So don’t.
Focus on one particular problem that you solve. If you run your own business this may be a completely natural thought process. However if you’re employed by a company you may see yourself defined by your job title. And this can limit your thinking as to where you might want to go to expand your network.
Remember it’s much easier to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.
So with those problems in mind, start thinking about all of the professionals that suffer from them. Then find out which trade associations represent their industry and start going along to their events. Check out their website for their get togethers, seminars and other events. Join some relevant Linked In groups too.
Start getting your face known. Start adding value by getting up to speed with their issues. And use these events as information-gathering and relationship building excursions.
After all, lions go where buffaloes drink.